Sexton's fitness a worry for Ireland

Jonny Sexton started all three of the Lions Tests with Australia this summer

Inpho

Jonny Sexton's hamstring problem - and the lack of experienced cover - is a major concern for Ireland, according to head coach Joe Schmidt.

Sexton, who was making his first international appearance since guiding the British & Irish Lions to tour victory over Australia, limped out of Ireland's 32-15 defeat to the Wallabies at half-time in Dublin.

It remains to be seen if Sexton will be fit enough to face New Zealand this weekend and Schimdt is worried by the lack of caps his reserve fly-halves Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan have between them.

"I guess we'll find out the degree of his injury and then that will either make a decision easy for us, because it looks good or it doesn't look good," said Schmidt.

"If it's halfway in between, then certainly my expectation would be that he would have to train on Friday.

"He hasn't really spent that much time with us training, he had a little hip-flexor issue plus we left him to rest against Samoa just because of the attritional game time he had already accumulated.

"And I think the wear and tear of that game time has consequences, and unfortunately those consequences have fallen in our lap.

"Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan have a handful [of caps] each. That's a very big gap in terms of learning, experience and opportunity to maybe make some errors and learn from them. And they will be surrounded by some experienced players.

"So it's important for us to try to get the right players around the ten if it's not Jonny."

Ryan Grant displayed some impressive singing skills while on tour with the British & Irish Lions. The full release of Lions Raw will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from October 28th. Pre-order on Amazon.

This clip featuring Simon Zebo will whet your appetite ahead of the much anticipated release of 'Lions Raw', the official Behind the Scenes documentary of the successful 2013 Tour. Full release on October 28th and available on DVD and Blu-Ray.